Langostino Bites & Recipes

Create a memorable Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for friends and family.

By Annette M. Hall

While out grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago I was picking up some crab
salad from our local store and noticed an item in the seafood display I was
not familiar with — Langostino Meat. It appeared to be small melon-ball
sized pieces of lobster.

I checked with the seafood clerk and found that it was sold as a cheaper
alternative to lobster. We normally pay around $30.00 a pound for lobster
tails and at $12.99 a pound, the Langostino Meat was definitely a bargain.
The best part was, it was sold in bite-sized morsels and was already shelled.

Thinking it was too good to be true, we picked up half a pound. I prepared the
Langostino in a mixture of butter and garlic, allowing it
to cook for a couple of minutes, then served it with vegetables. It was absolutely
delicious. While it didn't taste exactly like lobster, it was so close; few people
would ever be able to tell the difference. The tender Langostino Meat would be
succulent served in lobster bisque or
seafood chowder.

Our family enjoyed them so much that we went back and bought 2 pounds the
following week. I plan to serve them over the holidays in my seafood chowder.

Still not quite understanding exactly what a Langostino is, I started searching
online, only to find that there is no consensus as to exactly what they are. Even
the FDA has two classifications for them.

Long John Silver's Offers Buttered Lobster Bites

When Long John Silver's
announced the addition of Buttered Lobster Bites, made with langostino lobster
to their menu. While langostino may taste like lobster, it's technically not a
lobster but at least Long John Silver's didn't try to pass of this less expensive
imitation for the real thing. They are now called Langostino Lobster Bites.

With the newfound popularity of langostino meat, lobster loving restaurant goers
will want to be cautious when ordering, to be sure they get what they pay for. When
you order a dish made with lobster
and you are paying the price for lobster, you don't want to be served a substitute.

On the other hand what a wonderful alternative to those boring holiday dishes that
are served year after year. Now you can serve delicious lobster dishes at less than
half the cost, which means you won't have to skimp on the meat.

Mock Lobster Bisque

This delicious Langostino Bisque recipe is a wonderful lobster alternative, your
guests will love, no matter what name you call it by.

Mock Lobster Newburg

This Langostino Newburg is made with half-and-half, sherry, cooked langostino meat,
and butter.

Ingredients List:

2 cups cooked langostino meat

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons dry sherry

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 cup half-and-half

Buttered toast, bread round or pastry shells

Preparation Instructions:

In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat langostino in the butter for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add salt, cayenne pepper, and sherry. Mix beaten egg yolks with the half-and-half and
add to langostino meat. Cook, stirring constantly, until Langostino Newburg is thickened
and heated through, but do not bring to a boil.

Reader Mail Bag

Where to Buy Langostino Meat

I have been searching for months for information on langostino lobster
bites and found your article.

Can you please advise where these can be purchased online?

A friend gave me a bag of these a few months ago and we fell in love
with them and have not been able to find them since and her husband
has not been able to locate more either.

Please advise,
Donna

Dear Donna,

Our local Savemart carries Langostino Meat in the Seafood Department most
of the year. There does seem to be a few dry months when they are not
available. However, since they come in frozen, they do carry them most
of the time. If you don't see them, do ask your Seafood Manager to order
some. You can search for your local Savemart at the link below. You might
also consider asking at your local market, or try ordering them from
Seatech Corporation or Stavis Seafoods, if you don't have a Savemart in
your area.